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United We Smile Dental Clinic Operations Suspended
MEDIA STATEMENT – January 2, 2026
Media Contact: Sara O’Hara, United Way of Northwest Michigan Operations Officer
sara@unitedwaynwmi.org
(231) 947-3200
For Immediate Use
(Traverse City) – Effective January 2nd, United Way of Northwest Michigan (UWNWMI) has suspended operations at its United We Smile (UWS) dental clinic in Traverse City due to staffing and capacity constraints.
UWNWMI is in the process of notifying existing UWS patients and working to help facilitate alternatives for their continuing dental care.
While the state appropriation for UWS is still working through the process, UWNWMI is actively collaborating with our state representative and other partners to explore strategic alternatives and potential partnerships with the goal of leveraging the investment in the UWS dental clinic on behalf of the community, so accessible, affordable dental services remain available to those who face barriers to accessing oral health care in the northwest Michigan region.
“We are incredibly grateful to our staff, board, partners, funders, legislative advocates, and donors for their support – which has allowed UWS to provide more than $2.3 million in dental services to over 2,200 patients in need, including children, veterans, and those with disabilities, and train over 250 dental interns since launching our community-based dental clinic in September 2023,” said Sara O’Hara, UWNWMI Operations Officer.
“While UWS has suspended operations at this time, our hope is this community asset can be transitioned and utilized in some form so these much-needed dental services can continue to be provided in our region going forward,” O’Hara said.
Further information will be shared as it becomes available.